Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) is upgrading its 80-year-old treated water pipeline at Wurdong Heights, with end-of-life replacement works now underway.
GAWB CEO Darren Barlow said construction was now in full swing with more than three kilometres of the ageing 16.7-kilometre pipeline to be replaced over the next three months, between Clayton and Hughes roads.
“As a bulk water supplier for the region, it’s critical we maintain our assets and replace ageing infrastructure, so we can continue to provide our customers with safe and reliable water supply,” Mr Barlow said.
“This Wurdong Heights construction is part of a rolling program of works to replace this particular pipeline, which was originally installed in 1942,” Mr Barlow said.
The original pipeline, now more than 80 years old, was assembled using cement-lined cast-iron pipe. It transported raw water from the Boyne River to Gladstone for treatment.
In the late 20th century, it was repurposed to carry treated, potable water from Toolooa Junction to Golegumma Reservoir to supply GAWB customers near Awoonga Dam.
The new section of pipeline will be constructed with high-density polyethylene pipe, and will be installed underground using a trenching method, followed by backfilling and the re-instatement of topsoil.
“Construction crews have been working on the GAWB easement site since January, undertaking scrub and vegetation clearing and excavation works to create a new access track to allow for vehicles and heavy machinery to enter and work across the site,” Mr Barlow said.
“In the lead-up to mobilisation, extensive environmental surveying was completed and during land clearing works, a wildlife spotter was continually on-site to keep an eye out for native animals and coordinate safe relocations as needed.”
